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1Family Child Care Level 3 QRIS Interim Changes Requirements Checklist September 2019

Level 3 Family Child Care Quality Rating and Improvement System (MA QRIS) Requirements

Checklist with Interim Changes

OVERVIEW

The Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) Board recently approved a series of Interim Changes to the MA QRIS. The Interim Changes are designed to remove barriers to program participation in the MA QRIS and act as a bridge between the original MA QRIS framework and the next generation of MA QRIS, which will be known as Massachusetts StrongStart to Program Quality.

This checklist describes these new MA QRIS requirements with the Interim Changes, and will also guide you through changes to the MA QRIS application process. Before you submit your MA QRIS application, please carefully review the full QRIS Standards with Guidance in the QRIS Toolbox at the following link: https://www.mass.gov/lists/quality-rating-and-improvement-system-qris-toolbox-for-programs .

*NEW*: How to Apply for a MA QRIS Level with the Interim Changes1. Complete your QRIS application on the QRIS Program Manager here:

https://www.eec.state.ma.us/SSI_V2/ProfileSetup/LoginUN.aspx. Since the criteria in the QPM no longer match the updated interim QRIS standards, please use these instructions:

a. In the “Summary” section, click on the “Documents” tab and select “Add New”b. Select "Other" from the “Document Type” drop-down menuc. Select “Other” from the “Document” drop-down menu, and click save (this only needs to be

done once, and can be used to satisfy each standard)d. Use “Other” as the associated document for each standarde. Check any box under "Measurement Method" for each standard

1. After you submit your online MA QRIS application, your EEC Program Quality Specialist (PQS) will contact you to request the required documents. Please include a copy of this checklist (page 2) along with all of the supporting documents requested by your PQS.

EEC will verify the following types of criteria prior to granting the application MA QRIS Level 3:

Supporting Documentation. After following the instructions above, your PQS will request that you submit the physical documents. To find your PQS, please click here: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/qris-program-quality-unit-contact-information.

Professional Qualifications and Workforce Development. All trainings, coursework, qualifications, and experience must be reflected in the Professional Qualifications Registry.

Measurement Tools Self-Assessments. Scores from self-assessments must be current (within last 12 months). Full expanded score sheets for each classroom or grouping, including the date of observation, notes, and Item scores, must be submitted for Environment Rating Scales self-assessments.

ERS Classroom Observation. Once all of the criteria above have been verified, your PQS will work with you to schedule this visit.


REQUIRED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATIONSUPPORTING DOCUMENT (SELECT “OTHER”) GUIDANCE CRITERION

Continuous Quality Improvement Plan (Program Improvement Plan) Continuous Quality Improvement Plan (CQIP) -

Family Child Care Environment Rating Scales (FCCERS-R) Self-Assessment

Full, expanded FCCERS-R score sheet – average of 4.5 or higher with no single item below a 3 or 4,

depending on the subscale; must be current within last 12 months; must include notes and

Item scores

-

Meets Head Start Performance /Compliance Indicator (if applicable)

Copy of Compliance Indicator -

NAFCC Accreditation Certification (if applicable)

Copy of your certificate, if applicable. (cannot be expired)

-

Business Administration Scale (BAS) BAS score sheet with score of 5 or higher; must be current within last 12 months

-

Educator access to consultants / positive behavior qualifications*†

Signed description of how program uses outside consultants when needed for cognitive

development, behavior and mental health to support positive relationships

1B.3.1

Screenings, assessments, progress reports description of use

Document describing how program uses screening tools, formative assessments, observation tools, progress reports and

observations to set individual goals for children

1A.3.3

Evidence of access to screenings, indicating methods and collaboration†

Document describing how program screens children within 45 days of enrollment with a valid tool, and refers for outside services when needed

2A.3.2

Family/Educator Communications/ Updates description of process

Document describing how program uses a variety of daily two-way communication systems

4A.3.1

Educator/Family input Copy of annual staff and family surveys and document with a summary of the results

5A.3.1

*Met by NAFCC Accreditation†Met by Head Start Performance Standards

When adding these documents into your QRIS Program Manager application, select “Other” from the “Document” drop-down menu for all documents.

When your application is successfully submitted, your Program Quality Specialist will request each of these documents. At that time, they must be submitted to your Program Quality Specialist.

Please note that EEC cannot return submitted documents. Programs are encouraged to keep copies of all submitted documents for their own records.


PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Note: MA QRIS no longer requires specific trainings. Programs are now required to take the same number of formal professional hours as before. Formal professional development opportunities must have CEUs, CECs, PDPs, or college credits associated with them, and they must each be added to the PQR.

EDUCATOR QUALIFICATIONS

Certification / Qualification CDA or Higher 3A.3.1

College Credit Hours 15 credits in early childhood education, child development, and/or special education

3A.3.1

Experience as Family Child Care Educator

At least three years of experience 3A.3.2

EDUCATOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Professional Development35 hours of formal PD in addition to college

credit hours

(CEUs, CECs, PDPs, or college credits)1A.3.2

ALL EDUCATORS THAT INTERACT WITH CHILDREN

College Credit Hours 6 credits in early childhood education, child development, and/or special education

3A.3.4

All qualifications, trainings, and administrative experience must be documented in the Professional Qualifications Registry.

FORMAL PD HOURS PER PD TYPE

1 CEU = 10 Hours1 CEC = 1 Hour1 PDP = 1 Hour1 College Credit = 15 Hours


MEASUREMENT TOOLS SELF-ASSESSMENT SCORE REQUIREMENTS

FAMILY CHILD CARE ENVIRONMENT RATING SCALES (FCCERS-R) SUBSCALES

LEVEL 3 REQUIREMENT

(OVERALL = 4.5)

PROGRAM SCORE (AVERAGE OF ALL

CLASSROOMS)

1. Space and Furnishings 3

2. Personal Care Routines 3

3. Listening and Talking 4

4. Activities 4

5. Interaction 4

6. Program Structure 4

7. Parents and Provider 3

OVERALL SCORE 4.5

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION SCALE (BAS)LEVEL 3

REQUIREMENT PROGRAM SCORE

BAS Program Score 5

STRENGTHENING FAMILIES PROTECTIVE FACTORS SELF-ASSESSMENT

NO SCORE REQUIREMENT, MUST BE COMPLETED

Score sheets for all measurement tools must be submitted to your Program Quality Specialist.


NAVIGATING THE QRIS PROGRAM MANAGER (QPM)

1. ACCESS EEC SINGLE SIGN IN here:https://www.eec.state.ma.us/SSI_V2/ProfileSetup/LoginUN.aspx

2. COPY APPLICATION: If your program is applying for a Level 2, Level 3, or Level 4 QRIS Rating for the same program type, please go to your program's most recent "QRIS Rating Granted" application and use the "Copy" link. DO NOT use the "Create QRIS Application" link to apply for a QRIS Rating at the next level.

3. COMPLETE YOUR MA QRIS APPLICATION WITH INTERIM CHANGES using the following directions:

a. In the “Summary” section, click on the “Documents” tab and select “Add New”b. Select "Other" from the “Document Type” drop-down menuc. Select “Other” from the “Document” drop-down menu, and click save (this only needs to be

done once, and can be used to satisfy each standard)d. Use “Other” as the associated document for each standarde. Check any box under "Measurement Method" for each standard

4. After you submit your online MA QRIS application, your EEC Program Quality Specialist (PQS) will contact you to request the required documents.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR MA QRIS APPLICATION STATUS

DRAFT: This is the status your application is in while your program is still working on it. You can go in and out of your application while you work on it. The draft is incomplete until submitted.

FINAL SUBMIT: Once you are done with your draft and you are ready for EEC to review it, you must click on Final Submit. Email your Program Quality Specialist to let her/him know you have pressed Final Submit, since your Program Quality Specialist does not receive any other notification of your application's submission. You cannot make any edits to your application in this status.

EEC REVIEW IN PROGRESS: Your Program Quality Specialist is currently reviewing your application. You cannot make any edits to your application in this status. If you need to make any changes while your application is in EEC Review in Progress, simply contact your Program Quality Specialist.

EEC REVIEW COMPLETE: Your Program Quality Specialist is done reviewing your application and has determined that the application in not finished. You can make edits to the application while in this status. Please email your PQS when you are done making edits!

GRANTED: After your application is reviewed, if it meets all of the required criteria, your Program Quality Specialist will grant your program’s new rating. You cannot make any edits to your application in this status.
